Suction nozzle



E. GROTH sUcTIoN NozzLE Nov. 5 1940.

2 sheets-sheet 1 Filed Jan. 27, 1938 E. GROTH SUCTION NOZZLE Nov. 5, 1940.

Filed Jan. 27, i958 2 sheets-sheet 2 1N VENTOR.

h, ATTORNEY. l

Patented Nov. 5ta, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,220,778 sUo'rIoN NozzL'E Application January 2,7, 1938, Serial No. 187,148 20 Claims. (Cl. 15-155) invention relates to vacuum cleaners and more particularly to suction nozzles for use with vacuum cleaners for removing'dirt and dust from a rug.

Nozzles which are used with a substantially rigid tubular handle connected to the vacuum cleaner by a flexible hose are moved around the floor or .rug by the handle. In lattempting to move the nozzle about the rug the nozzle may be tilted,`breaking the seal between the nozzle and the rug. In the cleaning of rugs there are two conditions to be met. First, there is the dirt or dust'embedded in the nap of the rug, `find second, there is surface 'lint hairs, and the like. j `To remove the dirt embedded-*in the rug kthe nozzle mouth is advantageously sealed againstlthe surface vof the Trug, thus producing a. flow of air through the rug nap. To 'remove surface lint, etc. quickly and efficiently, the lint is loosened and then removed by a ow of high velocity air along the surface of the rug. Heretofore nozzles 'have been provided for cleaning rugs with a suction opening on one side used primarily for v.removing the embedded dirt and a suction opening on the other side used for more quickly removing the surface lint.

In accordance with this invention a nozzle is provided in which the direct transmission of thrust from the handle to the nozzle is prevented. The nozzle mouth'is held against the surface being cleaned independently of the handle by' the suction produced at the suction opening of the nozzle and the weight of the nozzle. A rotatable member connected to the nozzle sustains the thrust transmitted through the handle and also is arranged to control the single suction opening for removing embedded dirt lhen in one position, or for more quickly removing surface lint,

threads, Aand the like in another position. y

What I consider to be novel and my invention maybe better understood by reference to the fol- I lowing specification and appended claims when considred in connection with the accompanying drawings,- in which Fig. l shows a side View of my improved nozzle connected to a vacuum cleaner unit by a rigid handle and a flexible hose;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side sectional View of the nozzle; Fig.k3 is a sectional view of the nozzle mouth along the lines 3-3 of Fig. 2;

4 Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the nozzle with the rotatable tubular-.member and handle socket shown in section;

Fig-g5 is an enlarged detailed sectional view of a portion of thenozzlelmouth taken along lines 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6'is a side sectional view taken along lines I-S of Fig. 5,; f

, Fig. '1 is a detailed sectional viewy along lines 5 "I-l ofFigs.5 and 6; f

Fig.- 8 is an enlarged sectional view along lines 8-BofFig.3;and y Y,

Fig. 9 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 3 with the tubular member rotated to a dilerent posi- 10 tion for closing `a` portion of the suction opening and lifting a gate toopengrooves to permit a flow of air along the surface being cleaned.

'Referring to the drawings,` I0 indicates generally a nozzle' for us'e in lcleaning rugs connected l5 to a suction vacuum cleaner'unit II `by means of a substantially rigid tubular` handle I2 and a exiblehose I3. The nozzle I0 is moved along the rug from place to place by means of the handle I2. Referring particularly `to Fig. 2, the 20 nozzle I0 consists of a hollow nozzle mouth I4 and a joint I5 havinga handle socket I6 and a rotatable tubular thrust sustaining member Il. Handle socket I6 has a tapered bore I8 forreceiving a tapered end of the handle I2. Handle 25 socket I6 is pivotally connected to tubular member I1 on an axis parallel tothe lengthwise extent of the nozzle mouth I4. A handle socket o I6 is formed with asubstantially cylindrical end having convex sideswhich are received in corre- 30 spondingly shaped recessesin the tubular member I'I. Tubular member Il is rotatably secured' to the nozzle mouth I4 on anvaxis transverse to the lengthwise extent of' the'nozzle and also at right angles to the'axis of its pivotal connection 35 with the handle socket I6. An opening I9 in handle socket I6 communicates with the central bore 20 of tubular member I1. Nozzlejmouth I4 is provided with an elongated suction'opening 2| bounded by a smooth lip 22 slightly curved trans.- 40 versely. At opposite sides of the center of lip 22, grooves 23 are provided normally closed by pivoted gates 24. An opening 25 in tubularmember I1 communicates with the suctionopenin'g 2l'. The tubular member Il is secured to the nozzle 45 mouth I4 by means of screw 26.

In normal use the nozzle mouth I4 rests on the rug or floor with the face of the lip 22 in contact with the surface of the rug` being cleaned.

A bearing surface 21 of tubular member I'I 50 directly below the axis of socket handle I6 also engages the surface being cleaned. The lip 22 adjacent the suction opening 2l and a portion of bearing surface 2l are'in the same plane,v as best indicated in Fig. 2. Due to the pivotal connection between the handle socket I6 and the tubular member I1, the nozzle mouth I4 is held against the rug surface by the suction produced at the suction opening 2I and the weight of the nozzle mouth I4. Any thrust transmitted through the handle I2 for moving the nozzle Ill from one place to another is sustained substantially by the bearing surface 21 of the tubular member I1 instead of by the nozzle mouth I4. By this arrangement, the nozzle mouth I4 being relieved of the thrust applied to the handle I2 and pivotally connected to the handle I2 is free to adjust itself to the surface which it contacts and cannot be easily tilted, breaking the seal with this surface. The handle I2 may be inclined at a convenient angle for moving the nozzle I0 under a piece of furniture or into any narrow space by pivoting it on the axis of the handle socket I6 as indicated by arrow A in Fig. 1.

Nozzle mouth I4 in its normal use utilizes the full extent of the suction opening 2|. In this condition the nozzle mouth I4 serves to remove any dirt or dust embedded in the nap of the rug. Inorder to apply a concentrated flow of air when it is desired to remove surface lint quickly, the area of the suction opening 2I lis reduced to increase -the velocity of air and means provided to loosen the surface lint. The size of the suction 4 opening 2| is reduced by two pivoted shutters 28 mounted within nozzle mouth I4. The two shutters 28 are pivoted at opposite endsof the nozzle mouth I4 by means of pins 29. A spring 30 in the form of a wire of spring metal is connected at its ends to .the two shutters 28- adjacent the pivot pins 29 and serves to hold them normally in thel position indicated in Fig. 3 in the top of the nozzle mouth I4. In this -position the shutters 28 do not affectthe size of the suction opening 2|. The spring 30 passes through a slot provided in the end of tubular member I1 in engagement with a cam surface 3|. When it is desired to use the nozzle for quickly removing surface lint-the tubular member I1 is rotated to the position indicated in Fig. 9 .the cam 3I distorting the spring 30 producing a force, pivoting the shutters 28 and causing them to move downwardly toward the suction opening 2I. Downward movement of the shutters 28 is stopped byengagement with shoulders 32 provided within the nozzle mouth I4. As the shutters 28 move downwardly they engage fingers 33 of the gates 24 `pivoting them about pins 34. The gates 24 are thus lifted upwardly uncovering the grooves provided at opposite sides at the center of lip 22. The grooves 23 are curved and serve to produce a turbulence in the air passing through them loosening `the surface lint. The shutters 28 have depending feet 35 which extend substantially .to the bottom edge of lip 22 when in the position indicated inFig. 9.. The shutters 28 in this position extend across the nozzle mouth I4 between its inside end walls to the suction opening 2I adjacent its center and so close the major portion of the suction opening 2| confining the flow of air to a small central portion of the suction -opening 2|. By the reduction in the effective area of the suction opening 2I the velocity of the air is greatly increased. The grooves 23, in addition to producing a turbulence, also permit a flow of air over the surface of the rug. As best indicated in Fig. 6, the two gates 24 are carried by plates 36 to which the pivot pins 34 are secured and are mounted-in the mouth I4 by means of screws 31. The spring 30 is connected to the shutters 28 by passing its ends through ears 38 of shutters 28 as shown in Fig. 8. The

shutters 28 are mounted in the mouth I4 by two plates 39 in which .the pivot pins 29 are carried. the plates 39 being secured .to the nozzle mouth I4 by means of/screws 40. 'I'he plates 39 form the shoulders 32 which stop the downward movement of the shutters 28. The shutters 28 are provided with upwardly extending arcuate arms 4I which engage .the spring 30 in their normalposition as shown in Fig. 3, and extend to the plate 36 when in their downward position as indicated in Fig. 9 to direct the air drawn in the suction opening 2l toward the opening 25 of tubular member I1 and also 4to prevent the circulation of air within the nozzle mouth I4 when in this position as it might cause the deposit of entrained dirt or dust within the corners of the nozzle mouth. In the normal position the gate 24 rests with an edge against an inclined shoulder 42 provided on the plate 39. The shutters 28 have cutaway corners 43 as shown in Fig. rl .to receive the fingers 33 of gates 24 and portions ofthe plates 39 to permit the depending feet 35 to-contact the surface being cleaned and thereby close ofi.' the ends of the nozzle., I

The operation of this nozzle is as follows:

The nozzle I0 is connected to the tubular handle I 2 by inserting the tapered end ln the handle socket I6. 'Ihe handle I2 is connected to the vacuum cleaner unit II by the flexible 'hose I3. The vacuum cleaner unit II is then started. The nozzle I0 is placed on the rug to be cleaned. The suction produced in the operation of the vacuum cleaner II is transmitted through the exible hose I3, handlec I2 to the suction opening 2I of the nozzle I0. The nozzle I0 rests on the rug with the surface 21 of tubular member I1 and the lip 22 of the nozzle mouth I4 in engagement with the surface of the rug. Air is drawn in through the suction opening 2I carrying with it dirt or dust that is embedded in the nap of the rug. The nozzle I0 is moved along the surface of the rug by the handle I2. Due to the pivotal connection between the handle socket I6 and the tubular member I1 the thrust applied to the handle I2 to move the nozzle I0 is taken by the thrust sustaining surface 21 of the tubular member I1 as it bears upon the rug surface.k

The nozzle mouth Ill and the tubular member I1 are free to move about the pivotal connection with the socket member I6 by the force of gravity resulting from the weight of the parts. 'I'his force is in a direction to hold the suction opening 2l with the lip 22 in'contact with the surface of the rug when the nozzle mouth I4 is in contact with a rug surface. 'Ihe suction in the opening 2I produced by the operation of the vacuum cleaner II supplemented by the force of gravity produces a force holding the nozzle mouth I4 with the suction opening and lip 22 in contact with the rug surface regardless of variations in the contour of the rug surface. This insures a relatively tight seal between the suction opening 2I and the rug surface resulting in a maximum utilization of the suction to produce a flow of air through the rug nap andl to remove dirt embedded in the rug nap. When it is desired to move the nozzle I0 under a piece of furniture or into a small space, handle I2 may/be depressed by pivoting it on the axis of the handle socket I6.

When it is desired to remove quickly dog hairs, threads, or other like material on the surface of the rug the handle I2 is inclined to the right or left at an angle to the plane of its normal movement on the axis of handle socket I6. The movement of the handle I2 in this direction rotates the tubular member II on its axis perpendicular to the lengthwise extent of the nozzle mouth I4.

Rotation of the tubular member I1 distorts the 5 spring 30 thereby pivoting the shutters 28 and moving them in a downward direction to engagement with the shoulders 32. As the shutters 28 move downwardly they engage the ngers 33 of the gates 24 moving them upwardly and uncovering the grooves 23 provided in the center of the lip 22 at opposite sides of the suction opening 2|. In this position the shutters 28 close the major portion of the suction opening 2| leaving a relatively small opening at the center. The grooves 23 permit the air entering the suction opening 2| to travel along the surface of the rug, the shape of the grooves 23 producing turbulence which loosens the hairs, lint, etc. from Ythe nap at the surface of the rug. The reduction of the area hairs, lint, etc. and then picks them up, drawing 30 them into the vacuum cleaner unit II. After the surface material has been removed the handle may be returned to itsnormal position which is assisted by the spring 30 tending to move the tubular member I'I to its normal position. When the handle I2 is returned to its normal position the shutters 28 move upwardly until the upwardly extending arms 4I engage the spring 30 thus again opening the full extent of the suction opening 2|. As the shutters 28 move upwardly the fingers 33 are released and so the gates 24 return to their normal position covering the grooves 23.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that an irnproved nozzle is provided in which the emciency of the removal of dirt embedded in the nap of 45 the rug is assured by a tight seal between the suction opening and the rug surface and the movement of the nozzle along the rug surface having no effect upon this seal. Also a simple arrangement is provided by which surface lint 50 or other material may be removed quickly from the rug without lifting the nozzle mouth from.

the surface of the rug but simply by inclining the handle in the proper direction.

What I claim is:

1. A suction nozzle comprising a hollow nozzle mouth portion having a suction opening, a smooth lip around said suction opening, a member rotatably connected at one end to said nozzle mouth portion and having a bearing surface in the same plane as said lip adapted to receive any thrust produced in moving the nozzle, and a handle socket pivotally connected to said thrust sustaining member at the other end on an axis perpendicular to the axis of said thrust sustaining member. n

2. A suction nozzle comprising a nozzle mouth portion having a suction opening a tubular member rotatably connected to -said nozzle mouth, a handle socket pivotally connected to said tubular member, means adapted in operative position to close a portion of said suction opening, and means operated by rotation of said tubular member to move said last-named means to operative position. 75 3. A suction nozzle comprising a nozzle mouth of the suction opening 2| by the shutters 28 in-` portion having a. suction opening, a tubular member rotatably connected to said nozzle mouth, pivoted means within said nozzle adapted in operative position 'to close a portion of said suction opening, and means operated by rotation of said tubular member to move said last-named means to operative position. L

4. A suction nozzle comprising a nozzle mouth portion having a suction opening, a surface contacting lip around said suction opening having grooves in the underside of the lip communicating with sai'dvsuction opening substantially equidistant from the ends of the nozzle mouth portion, a pivoted gate normally closing said grooves,l a tubular member rotatably connected to said nozzle mouth, and means operated upon rotation of said tubular member to move said gate and open said grooves.

5. A suction nozzle comprising a nozzle mouth portion having a suction opening, a surface contacting lip around said suction opening having a groove normally closed in the underside of the lip communicating with said suction opening substantially equidistant from the ends of the nozzle mouth portion, a member rotatably` connected to said nozzle mouth, a handle socket pivotally connected to said member, and means operated by rotation of said member to open said groove.

6. In a nozzle adapted to be connected to a source of suction, .a nozzle mouth portion having a suction opening, a smooth lip extending around said suction opening adapted to engage a surface being cleaned to provide a seal for said suction opening and having a groove in the underside of the lip communicating with said suction opening substantially equidistant from the ends of the nozzle mouth portion, a pivoted gate normally closing the groove in said lip, a joint. rotatably connected to said nozzle mouth, and means operated by rotation of said joint to move said gate opening said groove whereby a flow of air may be produced along the surface being cleaned.

'7. A suction nozzle comprising a nozzle mouth portion having a suction opening, pivoted shutters mounted within said nozzle mouth, spring means connected to said shutters normally holding said shutters in the top of said nozzle mouth, and a member rotatably secured to said nozzle mouth adapted upon rotation to engage said spring means and move said shutters downwardly to close a portion of said suction opening.

8. A suction nozzle comprising a nozzle mouth portion having a suction opening, shutters pivotally secured within said nozzle mouth, a spring holding said shutters normally away from said suction opening, a member ro'tatably secured to said nozzle mouth engaging said spring adapted.

upon rot-ation to move said shutters to close a portion of said suction opening.

9. A suction nozzle comprising a hollow nozzle mouth portion having a suction opening, a surface contacting lip around said suction opening, said lip having a groove in the underside communieating with said suction opening substantially equidistant from the ends of the nozzle mouth portion, a gate normally closing said groove, a pivoted shutter mounted within said lnozzle mouth, a spring connected to said shutter, and means engaging said spring to move said shutter to close a portion of said suction opening, said shutter upon movement to closed position engaging said gate to open said groove.

10. A suction nozzle comprising a hollow nozzl mouth portion having a suction opening, a surface contacting lip around said suction opening and having a groove in the underside of said lip comtially equidistant from the ends of said nozzle `mouth portion, a gate normally closing said groove, a shutter pivotally mounted within said mouth, means holding said shutter away from said suction opening, a. member rotatably secured to said nozzle mouth, and means operated by rotation of said last named member for moving said shutter to close a portion of said suction opening and lifting said gate to open said groove.

11. A suction nozzle comprising a hollow nozzle mouth portion having a suction opening, a surface contacting lip around said suction opening having a groove in the underside of the lip communicating with said suction opening substantially equidistant from the ends of the nozzle mouth portion, agate closing the groove in said lip, a shutter pivotally mounted within said nozzle mouth, a tubular member rotatably secured to said nozzle mouth, and means operated by rotation of said tubular member to move said shutter to close .a portion of said suction opening and to lift said gate to open said groove.

12. A suction nozzle comprising a nozzle mouth portion having a suction opening, a surface contacting lip around said suction opening having grooves in the underside of the lip communieating with said suction opening' substantially equidistant from the ends of the nozzle mouth portion, a gate closing said grooves, pivoted shutters mounted within said nozzle mouth adapted to close a portion of said suction opening,'spring means biasing said shutters from the position closing a portion of said suction opening, a tubular member rotatably secured -to said nozzle mouth, and a cam portion of said tubular member engaging said spring means and adapted upon rotation of said tubular member to move said shutters to close a portion of said suction opening and to lift said gate opening said grooves.

13. In a suction nozzle, an enlongated hollow member having a surface contacting lip bounding a suction opening, a tubular member extending from said hollow member at substantially right angles to the lengthwise extent thereof, said tubular member being formed with a surface disposed substantially in the plane of said lip, and a handlevmember pivotally secured to said tubular member.

14. In a suction nozzle, an elongated hollow member having a surface contacting lip bounding a suction opening, a tubular member extending from said hollow member substantially at right angles to the lengthwise extent thereof, said tubular member being formed with a curved surfacesubstantially tangent to the plane of said lip, and a. handlemember pivotally secured to said tubular member, the center of the pivotal connection being substantially directly above the place of tangency.

15. In a suctionnozzle, an elongated hollow member having a lip bounding a suction opening and providing a contact surface, a tubular member rotatably mounted in said hollow member and extending substantially at right angles to the lengthwise extent thereof, said tubular member being formed with a circular contact surface subltantially tangent to the plane of the contact surface on said lip, and a handle member pivotally secured to said tubular member.

16. In a suction nozzle, an elongated hollow member having a lip bounding a suction opening and providing a contact surface, said lip having a groove yin the underside of the contact surface communicating with said suction opening substantially equidistant from the ends of said hol- -low member, a tubular member communicating with thev interior of said hollow member and rotatably mounted in said hollow member, a cam carried by said rotatable member, means for .regulating ow through said groove, and means actuatable by rotation of said cam for operating saidvrst mentioned means.

17. In a suction nozzle, an elongated hollow member having a lip bounding a suction opening and providing a contact surface, said lip having a groove in the underside of the contact surface communicating with said suction opening substantially equidistant from the ends of said hollow member, a tubular member communicating with the interior of said hollow member rotatably mounted on said hollow member, a cam carried by said rotatable member, displaceable means for preventing flow through said groove, and a resilient member distortable by rotation of said cam for displacing said means out of the flow preventing position.

18. In a suction nozzle, a hollow member having a lip bounding an elongated suction opening and providing a contact surface, said lip being formed with a groove in the underside of its contact surface adjacent to the central part of said suction opening communicating with the suction opening, a movable member located within said hollow member for preventing .flow of air through said groove, and means located within said hollow member for preventing flow of air through the end portions of said elongated opening, said member and said means being so arranged that movement of said means to flow preventingposition moves said member to flow permitting position.

19. In a suction nozzle, a hollow member having a lip bounding an elongated suction opening and providing a contact surface, said lip being formed with a groove in the underside of its contact surface adjacent to the central part of said suction opening communicating with said suction opening, a pivotable member located within said hollow member for preventing flow of air through said groove, pivotable means located within said hollow member for preventing ow of air through the end portions of said elongated opening, and means whereby pivoting of said meansy into .now preventing position pivots said member into flow permitting position.`

20. In a vacuum cleaner suction nozzle, a nozzle mouth part having a suction opening, means located within said hollow member for closing a portion of said suction opening, a handle pivotally connected to said nozzle mouth, and means located within said nozzle mouth part operated'by` movement of said handle transverse to its normal pivotal movement to control said means for closing a portion of said suction opening.

v ERLAND GROTH. 

